CAW Local 195 members have been locked out at National Auto Radiator causing concern for workers and retired workers who have had their health benefits cancelled. CAW Local 195 president Gerry Farnham held a media conference at the local office on Somme Avenue. "It's a slap in the face I've never seen before," said Farnham, April 11, 2013. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

When John Rodzik, chief operating officer of The Narmco Group, called for a meeting Wednesday afternoon with CAW representatives, union leader Gerry Farnham had hoped it signalled a willingness to resume stalled contract talks for workers at National Auto Radiator.

Instead, said Farnham, the company handed the Local 195 president a letter stating that effective Thursday at 12:01 am, the company would cease payment of benefits for about 200 retirees.

“I’m not the type of guy who goes out aggressively after companies,” Farnham told reporters at a news conference Thursday. “But, I will tell you this: That company, when they handed us this letter, John Rodzik, himself, was smiling. I don’t see anything funny about taking away 200 retirees’ benefits; cutting them off isn’t funny at all.”

About four hours after receiving the letter, the union received notice that the company would be locking out the remaining 16 active workers at the plant on Airport Road — a move confirming the union’s suspicion that management’s demand for deep concessions was merely a pretext for ultimately closing the facility, said Farnham.

The company referred requests for comment to lawyer George King. “We’re not commenting at present,” said King.

Farnham said the company had no intention of either keeping the plant open or negotiating a closure deal, despite the union’s attempts to present proposals that “would have assisted them for now and into the future.”

Instead, he said, the company clung to demands for concessions that would “gut the contract,” which expired March 31. Following the company’s request for a no-board report, the contract was extended until Thursday, which put the two sides in a legal strike or lockout position.

“There’s no way I can accept this company is in financial distress,” said Farnham, noting that Narmco, a Windsor-based, family-run company which operates 11 plants in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, enjoyed sales totaling $380 million last year.

“These are the Rodziks, they’re members of our community,” said Farnham. “They’ve profited nicely on the backs of our members.”

At its peak in the 1980s, National Auto Radiator employed about 400 hourly workers, but the workforce gradually dwindled to the point where the union was willing to negotiate a closure deal, said Farnham. About 33 workers remain on layoff.

Talks broke off last Friday after the union rejected company demands for an $8.76 per hour wage cut, slicing active employees’ wages down to $18 from $26.76, Farnham said. As well, the company was seeking a $12-an-hour cut for new hires and for laid-off workers being called back, bringing them to $14.55 an hour, he said.

“On top of those cuts, they were cutting things such as benefits, holidays, vacation pay, time away from the job and their pensions,” Farnham added.

With the termination of retirement benefits, uncertainty and worry grow among pensioners, like 62-year-old Mike St. Amour. “I’m a diabetic, and I probably spend about $700 every three months for my medicine,” said St. Amour. “So, what’s going to happen now?”

The dispute has meant sleepless nights for Gerry Mclean, a welder with 37 years seniority who is just two months away from retirement. “It’s a bad feeling. I can’t believe it,” said Mclean. “They shouldn’t do that to people, especially retirees.”

Mina Sarajcic, a CAW national staff representative, said most companies that lock out workers leave retiree benefits intact.

“This is unusual,” she said. “It hit us like a punch in the gut.”

Retirees will lose coverage for such things as prescription drugs, dental, vision and a $1,300 monthly payment to offset the cost of long-term care, according to the union. “Some retirees in nursing homes will be getting a bill they won’t be able to pay,” said Farnham.

The union’s next step, he said, is to put pressure on the company to return to the bargaining table by mobilizing workers at other Narmco plants as well as members of the labour community.

“We are going to use every single avenue that is necessary to get justice for this membership,” said Farnham. “We’re going to strategize on a daily basis. We’re going to be calling all of our brothers and sisters, whether CAW or any other union, and letting them know about the injustice taking place here.”

National Rep. Mina Sarajcic, left, Local 195 president Gerry Farnham and Kirk Lozon react to the news of a lockout and immediate loss of benefits for retirees at National Auto Radiator, during a media conference at the local office on Somme Avenue. “It’s a slap in the face I’ve never seen before,” said Farnham, April 11, 2013. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

CAW members have been locked out at National Auto Radiator and CAW Local 195 president Gerry Farnham held a media conference at the local office on Somme Avenue. “It’s a slap in the face I’ve never seen before,” said Farnham, April 11, 2013. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Shock and disbelief on the faces of National Radiator workers Dave Rivait, left, Jerry McLean and other workers who have been locked out at National Auto Radiator. The workers were attending a CAW Local 195 a media conference at the local office on Somme Avenue. “It’s a slap in the face I’ve never seen before,” said Local 195 president Gerry Farnham, April 11, 2013. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

National Auto Radiator retiree Mike St. Amour loses his health benefit immediately. “It’s a slap in the face I’ve never seen before,” said CAW Local 195 president Gerry Farnham, April 11, 2013. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

CAW members have been locked out at National Auto Radiator and CAW Local 195 president Gerry Farnham held a media conference at the local office on Somme Avenue. “It’s a slap in the face I’ve never seen before,” said Farnham, April 11, 2013. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Lively discourse is the lifeblood of any healthy democracy and The Star encourages readers to engage in robust debates about our stories. But, please, avoid personal attacks and keep your comments respectful and relevant. If you encounter abusive comments, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. The Star is Using Facebook Comments. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

The Jesus flag is not welcome at city hall. Councillors agreed Monday night with a report from city administration to deny a request to fly a flag in support of the annual March for Jesus scheduled for Aug. 22.